February 2015

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Melbourne-based artist, Mitch Gobel, officially announced his $25,000 donation from art sales to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors last week, with the assistance of a few of Australia Zoo's wildlife stars!

The unique artist and Wildlife Warrior has been busy adding the finishing touches to his custom artwork over two days on site at Australia Zoo, with the aim of hanging the artwork in the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital as a token of his generous donation to the charity.

Some precious Australia Zoo residents including Edna the koala and Anthony the sulphur-crested cockatoo helped Mitch out with their painting skills, leaving their footprints on the artwork to represent the plight of their cousins in the wild.

Inspired by Steve Irwin's legacy to protect wildlife and wild places, Mitch quit his job in horticulture almost one year ago to pursue a life-long dream creating art that reflects the beauty of the natural world, and to save wildlife in the process. His unique resin artwork is unlike any other, and as the art world recognises his talent, Mitch's contribution to the conservation efforts of Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors grows.

Mitch said he was happy with his artwork, and was excited to be continuing his contribution to wildlife conservation.

"I was expecting the animals to be ice-skating a bit on the resin surface, but it's turned out really well," said Mitch.

"Conservation is the driving force behind my artwork, and Steve and Terri are pioneers in saving wildlife and wild places so I'm really proud to be supporting Wildlife Warriors and the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital," he added.

Wildlife Warriors' key conservation project, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, has treated over 55,000 native Australian wildlife patients in its ten year history. This generous donation from Mitch will go toward the ongoing treatment of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife at the hospital.